Category: bulbs

Enjoy Enormous Amaryllis Bulbs that Bloom Indoors

Amaryllis bulbs are a seasonal favorite for the Holidays and starting them now can mean blooms on the table in a month. We have boxed kits and also large bulk bulbs.

Plant the bulbs indoors in a pot of soil, water them and watch them bloom within as little as four weeks. They are so easy; sometimes they even bloom before they are planted. Plant them in succession for months of enjoyment.

Amaryllis make a well-liked housewarming gift or select one for yourself. They are prized as a gift by both giver and receiver. In addition to being low maintenance and forgiving, they are one of the most impressive flowering bulbs you can grow indoors as a houseplant both because of their large blooms and gorgeous colors. This year we have them in traditional holiday red and white as well as a pink and variegated pink & white No matter what color you choose amaryllis is a show-stopper that brings a warm welcome to any home.

After your amaryllis blooms, remove the spent stem but nurture the rest of the plant with regular care and feeding. Place the pot outdoors only after the danger of frost passes and keep it watered while the long, strap-like leaves replenish the bulb. At summer’s end, lay the container on its side so that it receives no water, allow the leaves to wither and just as winter approaches, pick the pot up, clean it up by removing all the foliage, re-pot, begin to water it and it will bloom for you year after year.

Begonia Tubers are Here

Tuberous begonias are here (tubers) now and grow to bloom throughout the summer.

Select your begonia tubers now, because fewer are available this year.

Begonias are Ideal for north facing areas, they thrive in shady spots where few other plants with long bloom periods and showy flowers can grow. Gardeners like their versatility; planting them as container plants on patios and porches, in hanging baskets, and as bedding plants. Their beautiful flowers come in a variety of colors and forms. Red, orange, yellow, white, salmon and pink blooms may be plain, ruffled or fringed; their petals may have margins, crests or blotches of contrasting color.

Plant Tuberous Begonias in well-draining, rich soil, preferably in a container, (for improved drainage).

Plant in Master’s Pride Professional Potting Soil enriched with E. B. Stone Bulb Food.

Plant the cup-shaped tubers concave surface, or “cup” up and cover with just 1/2″ of soil.  Completely wet the soil and don’t water again until they begin to grow.

begonias-hanging

begonias-picote

begonias-ruffled

 

Feed begonias as they reach 2″ with Maxsea Acid Fertilizer.

 

Bulb Layering in a Pot

With the weather cooling, it’s time to plant bulbs. We plant buckets, pots, and baskets in November for spring color. We have discovered a few tips that make the process successful and enjoyable.

A bigger pot is a better pot, we prefer a pot 14″ wide and at least 12″ deep.

Simple containers are filled entirely with one type of bulb while elaborate containers are stuffed full with a variety of different bulbs scheduled to bloom at different times.

Inspired by a visit to Filoli gardens in Woodside, across the bay, we will often plant up pots full of a single color tulip. Tulips are selected and then refrigerated for at least 6 weeks and remain in the fridge until the outside temperatures drop. Planting a single variety in a pot makes the biggest splash as they all bloom at the same time, subsequent pots can be planted and ready to pull into view as the earliest bloom and fade and the new ones reach their prime. Fill pots with potting soil and plant the tulips 3-4″ deep. And space them so there is about an inch of soil between them (regular bulb spacing does not apply when planting in containers). Water and keep in a cool spot till leaves fully emerge` then grow them out in a brighter spot.

Daffodils can be grown the same way as tulips, but they need to be planted deeper. As a rule of thumb, bulbs are planted 2-3 times the diameter of the bulbs, (for some daffodils that can be 5 to 7 inches deep).

For a really enjoyable project, try layering bulbs in a deep pot. If you have a deep pot, at least 14″, you can have three layers of bulbs plus a layer of violas or pansies overhead. Choose from the following alternatives:
Bottom layer. Daffodils
Middle layer: Tulips, Hyacinth, Miniature Daffodils
Top layer: Crocus, Muscari, Freesia

Bulbs for a Dry Climate

California climate loving bulbs are an easy suggestion to add a splash of color in the garden without needing a lot of water. They are also good because unlike many traditional bulbs, they do not need to be refrigerated before planting or dug up and stored.

Originating in climates similar to ours, these bulbs are accustomed to dry summers and moderate climate. They are often dormant in summer.  Plant in drifts now for spring rewards with a lasting effect.

Anemone
Also known as Wind Flowers, these are some of the first to bloom in spring. Soak your bulbs for a few hours in lukewarm water to “wake them up”. Dig area and plant the anemones 1″-2″ down. Water well, soaking the area.

Freesia
Known for their fragrance, freesias are nice when planted among low groundcover plants where their floppy nature can be well supported. They also work well in containers. Plants bloom at about a foot high in late spring. Full sun.

Watsonia
Bold, spikes of small Gladiolus type flowers. Makes a great cut flower. Looks best when allowed to develop large clumps
Plant in full sun or morning sun.
Reaches 3′ or 4′

Sparaxis
Clusters of kaleidoscope-like patterned and colored flowers up to 2″ wide. A spectacular addition to borders, rock gardens, and container plantings.

Amaryllis belladonna
(Belladonna Lily) has just finished blooming around the valley. Now is the time to plant them as bulbs & we have them!  They bloom with no additional water.